whiskey review

Elijah Craig 21-Year: Is This $300 Bottle Actually Worth It?

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Is the legendary Elijah Craig 21-Year Single Barrel worth its $300 price tag, or did 21 long years in the wood push it over the edge?

Join Wayne & Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey as we pop the cork on the newly reintroduced Elijah Craig 21-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Barrel 47)! Aged for over two decades on the cooler lower floors of Heaven Hill’s historic rickhouses and bottled at 94 proof, this expression marks the first official return of the coveted 21-year age statement since 2013.

We scored this commemorative wooden-box release in person during Kentucky Bourbon Festival week at the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience in Bardstown, KY. Today, we sip from our official Heaven Hill crystal tasting glasses to give you an unfiltered, palate-by-palate review.

Does the nose deliver on sweetness? How intense is that 21-year oak, cocoa, and Maduro cigar tobacco on the palate? And most importantly—should you hunt this rare allocated bottle down?

Hit Subscribe to join our journey through the best spirits and barrel picks in whiskey country! Always remember to drink responsibly. Cheers! 🥃✨

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Elijah Craig 21-Year-Old Bourbon (Barrel 47)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Single Barrel)
  • Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery (Bernheim Facility, DSP-KY-1, Louisville, KY; aged & bottled at Bardstown, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Traditional Heaven Hill Bourbon Mash Bill — 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
  • Age: 21 Years
  • Proof: 94 Proof (47.0% ABV)
  • Bottled on 03/06/2026 from Barrel 47; first reintroduction of the Elijah Craig 21-Year age statement since 2013; pulled from the lower, cooler floors of Heaven Hill’s traditional rickhouses to temper excessive wood tannin and evaporation over 21+ years of aging; packaged in a custom commemorative wooden display case.
  • Released: June 14, 2026 (distillery release at Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience)
  • SRP: $299.99
  • Purchased: 09/11/26 for $299.99 at Heaven Hill in Bardstown, KY

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NOTE: The spirit in this review was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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Release 19 Blind Barrels: The Good, The Bad, and The Surprise

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After last quarter’s box left Wayne questioning everything, Blind Barrels is back for Release XIX (19)—marking nearly five years of blind craft whiskey curation! This quarterly release, titled the “Eyes Wide Shut” box, was compiled entirely from member recommendations showcasing the best hidden gems across American craft distilling.

Join Wayne and Rebecca as they taste through four mystery pours completely blind—guessing the style, age, and proof before revealing the bottles, sharing tasting notes, and deciding whether each pour earns a permanent spot on their home bar. From a sweet vermouth cask finish that converts a non-rye drinker to a rare Civil War heirloom corn bourbon, a pioneer craft wheater, and a French-oak-finished Kentucky powerhouse, Release 19 delivers some massive surprises!

Which bottles earned an instant “BUY,” which was a low maybe, and which pour took the crown as the overall flight favorite? Pour yourself a dram and taste along with us!

If you enjoy authentic whiskey tastings, honest reviews, and craft distillery discoveries, make sure to like, comment with your thoughts, and subscribe to the channel for more whiskey adventures every week!

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Featured Blind Barrels XIX Sample Details

Sample A: Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Sweet Vermouth Casks

  • Distillery: Mountain Laurel Spirits (Bristol, PA)
  • Proof: 94 Proof (47% ABV)
  • Age: 1 Year (Blend of ~8-month rye aged in charred oak quarter casks and 4-year-old rye; finished 3 months in sweet vermouth casks)
  • Mash Bill: 80% Rye, 15% Malted Two-Row Barley, 5% Malted Rye
  • Pricing: $39.99 Member Price ($54.99 Regular)
  • Fun Fact: One of the only vermouth-finished whiskeys in North America, crafted

Sample B: Ironclad The Old Colonel Straight Bourbon Whiskey

  • Distillery: Ironclad Distillery (Newport News, VA)
  • Proof: 100 Proof (50% ABV)
  • Age: 6.5 Years
  • Mash Bill: 78% Pungo Creek Heirloom Indian Corn, 12% Rye, 10% Malted Barley (100% Virginia-grown grains)
  • Pricing: $49.99 Member Price ($74.99 Regular)

Sample C: McKenzie Bottled-in-Bond Wheated Bourbon

  • Distillery: Finger Lakes Distilling (Burdett, NY)
  • Proof: 100 Proof (50% ABV)
  • Age: 7 Years (Bottled-in-Bond)
  • Mash Bill: 70% Corn, 20% Red Winter Wheat, 10% Malted Barley
  • Pricing: $49.99 Member Price

Sample D: Lucky Seven “The Frenchman” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

  • Distillery: Lucky Seven Spirits (Shelbyville, KY)
  • Proof: 113 Proof (56.5% ABV)
  • Age: 6 Years
  • Finish: Finished in new French oak barrels (blend of Kentucky straight rye-bourbon mash bills)
  • Pricing: $54.99 Member Price ($75.00 Regular)

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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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Nashtucky Honey vs Louisville Rickhouse Double Oak Review

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Welcome back to Your Bourbon Journey! Today, Wayne and Rebecca are diving into two standout bottles picked straight from a recent Bourbon Trail day trip through NuLu in Louisville, Kentucky.

After stopping by The Vault (WhistlePig) and The Last Refuge (Heaven’s Door), we finished our tour at Louisville Rickhouse (part of the Nashville Barrel Company family). We did a single barrel flight and each got to pick a bottle to bring home. Wayne went sweet and balanced with a single barrel honey finish, while Rebecca went heavy and robust with an ultra-limited experimental double oak!

Join us as we crack both open, break down the tasting notes, discuss whether they drink their proof, and decide if they’re worth a spot on your bar.

Have you visited Louisville Rickhouse or tried anything from Nashville Barrel Company / Nashtucky? Let us know your favorites down in the comments!

If you enjoyed the tasting, please give this video a thumbs up, leave a comment, and hit Subscribe to join us on our bourbon journey. Always remember to drink responsibly! Cheers!

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Nashtucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Honey Cask (Single Barrel, Barrel No 5162)

  • Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Honey Cask
  • Company: Connected Spirits / Nashtucky Whiskey Co.
  • Distillery: Undisclosed Kentucky Distillery (Distilled in Kentucky, aged in Tennessee; bottled by Nashtucky Whiskey Co., Nashville, TN, DSP-TN-21095)
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed
  • Age: 6 Years
  • Proof: 106.54 Proof (53.27% ABV)
  • Released: 2026
  • Other: Barrel 5162; Cask Strength; Non-Chill Filtered; Hand Bottled; 750 mL
  • SRP: $79.99
  • Purchased: 08/14/2026 for $79.99 at Louisville Rickhouse

Louisville Rickhouse Experimental Series Double Oak’d Kentucky Bourbon (Barrel Strength, Barrel No 8919)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Louisville Rickhouse Whiskey Co.
  • Distillery: Undisclosed Kentucky Distillery (Distilled in Kentucky; bottled by Louisville Rickhouse, Louisville, KY, DSP-KY-20181)
  • Mash Bill: 78% Corn / 10% Rye / 12% Malted Barley
  • Age: 9 Years (initial aging + 2 years double oaked)
  • Proof: 124.28 Proof (62.14% ABV)
  • Released: 2026
  • Other: Barrel 8919; Re-barreled into New Char 4 Kelvin Barrels for 2 years; Non-Chill Filtered; Barrel Strength; Total Bottle Count: 80 bottles; 750 mL
  • SRP: $129.99
  • Purchased: 08/14/2026 for $129.99 at Louisville Rickhouse

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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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We Won the Starlight Lottery! 10 YR Mizunara Reserve Review 

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Winner, winner, chicken dinner! In this episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca crack open one of the rarest, most anticipated craft bourbon releases of 2026: the ultra-limited Starlight Mizunara Reserve 10-Year Bourbon (Batch 1).

With only 250 bottles produced by Starlight Distillery in Borden, Indiana, this bottle was released via an exclusive lottery in September 2026 for $250. Coming off double-gold acclaim at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for their 8-year Mizunara finish, Starlight dialed it up by finishing their flagship 10-year sweet mash bourbon in rare Japanese Mizunara oak casks.

Bottled at 110 proof from a mash bill of 60% corn, 20% rye, and 20% malted barley, does this rare craft pour earn a spot on our Allocated Whiskey of the Year shortlist alongside Pappy and Peerless? Join us as we explore the legs, crackling crème brûlée nose, creamy mouthfeel, exotic sandalwood, and lingering toasted barrel notes.

Shoutout to Ted, Christian, and Blake at Starlight Distillery for crafting incredible spirits—and cheers to drinking local!

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Starlight Mizunara Reserve 2026, Batch 1

  • Classification: Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Japanese Mizunara Barrels
  • Company: Huber’s Orchard, Winery & Vineyards (Starlight Distillery)
  • Distillery: Starlight Distillery (Borden, IN)
  • Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 20% Rye, 20% Malted Barley
  • Age: 10 Years
  • Proof: 110
  • Released: September 2026
  • Other: Limited to 250 Bottles
  • Purchased: 09/12/26 for $250 at Starlight Lottery & Direct Shipped

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NOTE: The spirit in this review was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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Four Roses 2026 Limited Edition Review! Was 4 AM Worth It?

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When you get in line at 4:00 AM at Four Roses, sometimes things work out well! Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey as we share our morning drop experience at the Cox’s Creek Bottling Facility and deliver our fresh-from-the-car review and tasting notes for the highly anticipated Four Roses 2026 Limited Edition Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

We break down everything that went into this release—from early morning 5:30 AM tailgating pours with fellow whiskey fans and running into bourbon creator Sara Havens in line, to uncovering a surprise Mellow Moments Club gift and analyzing Master Distiller Brent Elliott’s latest masterpiece.

Is this 14-to-23-year blend featuring vintage OESK, OESV, and OBSK recipes the best Four Roses Limited Edition? Find out our full nose, palate, and finish impressions!

If you enjoyed the review, please hit the Like button, drop a comment with your thoughts on the 2026 Limited Edition release, and don’t forget to Subscribe for weekly reviews, distillery trail updates, and tasting flights! Always remember to drink responsibly. Cheers!

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Four Roses 2026 Limited Edition Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Barrel Strength, Non-Chill Filtered)
  • Company: Kirin Brewery Company / Four Roses Distillery LLC
  • Distillery: Four Roses Distillery (Lawrenceburg, KY; DSP-KY-370 / Bottled at Cox’s Creek, DSP-KY-522)
  • Mash Bill: Multi-Mashbill Blend featuring Four Roses’ B (60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley) and E (75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley)
  • Age: Blend of 4 batches aged 14 to 23 Years:
    • 23-Year-Old OESK
    • 15-Year-Old OESV
    • 14-Year-Old OESK
    • 14-Year-Old OBSK
  • Proof: 109.2 Proof (54.6% ABV)
  • Released: October 10, 2026
  • Other: 19th annual LE release; total run of approximately 16,800 hand-numbered bottles; 750 mL
  • SRP: $249.00
  • Purchased: October 10, 2026 for $249.00 at Four Roses Bottling & Warehouse (Cox’s Creek, KY)

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NOTE: The spirit in this review was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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The Fall of Seagram’s: Tasting the Spirits That Built an Empire

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Welcome to Your Bourbon Journey! Today, Wayne and Rebecca are taking a vintage “vertical leap” across three different countries with a historic Seagram’s flight spanning the 1970s and 1980s. 

Before the empire was dismantled, Joseph E. Seagram & Sons ruled the global spirits landscape. In this tasting, we unseal and explore three pristine, dusty bottles representing Canada, Scotland, and Kentucky straight bourbon. 

How does 1970s Benchmark compare to today’s Buffalo Trace expression? Why did vintage Canadian whisky hit so differently from the Waterloo stills? Pour yourself a dram and join us for the ride!

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Revival Vintage Spirits https://revivalky.com/ 

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Featured Bottles & Tasting Order:

🥃 Pour 1: Seagram’s V.O. Canadian Whisky (Distilled 1978, Bottled c. 1984–1985)

  • Classification: Blended Canadian Whisky
  • Distillery: Historic Waterloo Distillery (Waterloo, Ontario – closed 1993)
  • Age & Proof: 6 Years Old | 80.0 Proof (40% ABV)
  • Origin: From Rebecca’s parents’ collection, complete with its original presentation box and bilingual 1978 Canadian excise tax stamp.
  • Notes: Light, delicate sweet corn, subtle butterscotch, soft mouthfeel, and surprisingly great viscosity for an 80-proof blend.

🥃 Pour 2: Seagram’s 100 Pipers Blended Scotch Whisky (c. 1971–1974)

  • Classification: Blended Scotch Whisky
  • Distilleries: Chivas Brothers blending house; malt core sourced from Allt-a-Bhainne and Braeval (Braes of Glenlivet)
  • Specs: NAS (approx. 5–8 yr components) | 86 Proof (43% ABV) | Pre-metric 4/5 Quart
  • Sourced: Picked up for $30 at Revival Vintage Spirits in Covington, KY, inside its iconic original zippered retro travel caddy.
  • Notes: Golden Delicious apple, fresh pear, sweet malted barley, and a whisper of delicate Speyside peat. Perfect intro-level vintage Scotch that outperforms modern shelf staples.

🥃 Pour 3: Seagram’s 6 Year Benchmark Premium Bourbon (Bottled 1973)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Calvert / Henry McKenna Plant (DSP-KY-1 / D-126, Louisville, KY)
  • Age & Proof: 6 Years Old | 86 Proof (43% ABV) | 4/5 Quart Decanter
  • Dating: Confirmed 1973 via base Owens-Illinois glass date stamp and Series 112 red tax stamp. Purchased via Unicorn Auctions.
  • Notes: Rich, dark confectionery butterscotch, heavy vintage oak, rich mouthfeel, and zero thinness. An absolute masterclass in 1970s Kentucky dusty bourbon that shows why selling off Seagram’s spirits portfolio was a massive industry fumble.

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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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Ranking Four 2026 Penelope Bottle: Which One Is The Flop? 

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Happy Hump Day! We are diving into a massive, four-bottle 2026 Penelope flight picked up straight from Lux Row Distillers during Kentucky Bourbon Festival week. From unique wine finishes and high-rye single barrels to ultra-aged vintage bourbon and a 139-proof monster, we don’t buy bottles just to collect them—we open them and taste them!

In this review, we line up four standout 2026 releases from Penelope Bourbon / Ross & Squibb Distillery. Join Wayne and Rebecca as we break down the specs, nose, palate, finish, and overall value of each bottle. Which one took our top pour of the day, and which bottle missed the mark? Watch to see our full ranked breakdown!

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Penelope Riviera (Cooper Series)

  • Classification: Blended American Whiskey Finished in Rosé Wine Casks
  • Company: MGP Ingredients / Luxco (Penelope Bourbon)
  • Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery, Lawrenceburg, IN
  • Mash Bill: 74% Corn, 16% Wheat, 7% Rye, 3% Malted Barley (blend of 8-Year American Light Whiskey & Straight Bourbon)
  • Age: 8 Years
  • Proof: 94 Proof (47% ABV)
  • SRP: $90
  • Released: Spring/Summer 2026
  • Other: Part of Penelope’s Cooper Series highlighting specialty cask finishes; finished in Spanish rosé wine casks; non-chill filtered.
  • Purchased: 09.11.26 for $110 at Lux Row Distillery

Penelope Estate Collection Single Barrel

  • Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Single Barrel)
  • Company: MGP Ingredients / Luxco (Penelope Bourbon)
  • Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery, Lawrenceburg, IN
  • Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
  • Age: 10 Years
  • Proof: 107
  • SRP: $90
  • Released: Fall 2026 (Estate Collection allocation)
  • Other: Rickhouse location: Warehouse N, Floor B, Barrel PEN26-109; non-chill filtered.
  • Purchased: 09.11.26 for $90 at Lux Row Distillery

Penelope Estate Collection Founders Reserve (2026 Release)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Cask Strength)
  • Company: MGP Ingredients / Luxco (Penelope Bourbon)
  • Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
  • Age: 13 Years
  • Proof: 101.4
  • SRP: $200
  • Released: September 2026 (Distillery & select national allocation)
  • Other: Packaged in the signature deep green Estate Collection collector’s box; non-chill filtered; matured in #3 char barrels.
  • Purchased: 09.11.26 for $200 at Lux Row Distillery

Penelope 18 Year American Light Whiskey

  • Classification: American Light Whiskey
  • Company: MGP Ingredients / Luxco (Penelope Bourbon)
  • Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery, Lawrenceburg, IN
  • Mash Bill: 99% Corn, 1% Malted Barley
  • Age: 18 Years
  • Proof: 139
  • SRP: $110
  • Released: Spring 2026
  • Other: Distilled at >160 proof and matured in used oak barrels; Penelope’s oldest Light Whiskey release to date; non-chill filtered.
  • Purchased: 09.11.26 for $1110 at Lux Row Distillery

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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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Remus Repeal Reserve Series X vs Ezra Brooks 12-Year: Which Bourbon Reigns Supreme?

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Welcome back to Your Bourbon Journey! It’s “Two for Tuesday,” and we are cracking into two heavy-hitting, highly anticipated bottles fresh from our trip to Bardstown, Kentucky: the ultra-exclusive Ezra Brooks 12-Year Single Barrel (Lux Row Hand-Bottled Program) and the milestone 10th Anniversary Remus Repeal Reserve Series X!

We picked both of these bottles up at Lux Row Distillers during an incredible event with master distillers John Rempe, Stephen Beam, and Ian Stirsman. But at very different price points, which bottle truly earns its place on your home bar shelf?

Let us know in the comments: Have you picked up Remus Repeal Reserve Series X yet? Would you pay $200 for a 12-year hand-bottled single barrel from Lux Row? 

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1️⃣ Ezra Brooks 12-Year Single Barrel Bourbon (Lux Row Hand-Bottled)

• Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley

• Age: 12 Years | Proof: 99 (49.5% ABV)

• Barrel No.: 6155211 | SRP / Paid: $199.99

• Notes: Hand-filled, wax-dipped distillery exclusive, charcoal filtered prior to aging in deep char American oak. 

2️⃣ Remus Repeal Reserve Series X (10th Anniversary Edition)

• Mash Bill: Medley of 5 vintages (2008–2017) spanning 3 high-rye mash bills:

   – 35% 2016 Bourbon (60/36/4 LBSV)

   – 19% 2014 Bourbon (60/36/4 LBSV)

   – 17% 2017 Bourbon (51/49 LISV – Historic debut in Repeal Reserve!)

   – 15% 2016 Bourbon (75/21/4 LESV)

   – 14% 2008 Bourbon (75/21/4 LESV)

• Age: Blend of 9- to 18-year-old bourbons | Proof: 107

• SRP: $79.99 | Paid: $89.99

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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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Is MGP’s First Official Bottle Worth the Hype? | Chapter One Review

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MGP has finally stepped out from behind the curtain! For decades, MGP Ingredients in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, distilled and aged award-winning whiskey for countless non-distiller producers (NDPs) across the industry. Now, for the first time in company history, they have released a brand bearing the MGP name prominently on the label: MGP Chapter One: Out of the Shadows.

In this episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca review this historic 10-year-old straight bourbon whiskey. Blended by Master Distiller Ian Stirsman from 10+ year barrels aged in Lawrenceburg’s historic 1936 Rickhouse G, this pour features MGP’s signature LBSV high-rye mash bill (60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley) bottled at 111 proof. 

We were fortunate to preview this release with Ian Stirsman earlier this year at Lux Row Distillers and picked up our bottles during Kentucky Bourbon Festival week before the nationwide rollout. From its unique bottle profile to a layered, effervescent “cherry cola extravaganza” and sassafras finish on the palate, find out why this bottle is already an early contender for our Whiskey of the Month!

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Check out Master Distiller Ian Stirsman on the official MGP Distillery channel:

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MGP Chapter One: Out of the Shadows

  • Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: MGP Ingredients, Inc.
  • Distillery: MGP Distillery (Lawrenceburg, Indiana)
  • Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley (MGP’s signature high-rye bourbon mash bill, coded internally as LBSV)
  • Age: 10 Years Old
  • Proof: 111 Proof (55.5% ABV)
  • SRP: $69.99 (750 ml)
  • Purchased: 09.10.26 for $79.99 at Lux Row distillers
  • Released: September 2026 (Fall 2026 national rollout)
  • Historic Milestone: This is the first-ever brand and bottle released bearing the MGP name prominently on the label, marking their shift from working purely behind the scenes for third-party NDPs to standing directly in front of consumers.
  • Rickhouse Origin: Selected and blended by Master Distiller Ian Stirsman from 10+ year barrels aged in Rickhouse G (built in 1936 during the Seagrams era; unique 6-story reinforced concrete frame construction with 8-inch brick walls and individual floors creating distinct microclimates).

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: The spirit in this review was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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3 Rare Michter’s Bottles: Which One is the Best Pour? 

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We scored big at Michter’s Fort Nelson in downtown Louisville! After three years of trying, Rebecca finally landed a coveted spot for the exclusive “Bottle Your Own” (BYO) Barrel Strength Bourbon experience. But that wasn’t all—we also walked away with the brand-new Michter’s US★1 Barrel Strength Sour Mash (Batch 26D0898) and the highly anticipated 2026 Bomberger’s Declaration Bourbon finished in Chinquapin oak (Batch 26C0634)!

Join Wayne and Rebecca on Your Bourbon Journey as we pop the tops, break down the specs, and taste all three of these limited Michter’s releases side-by-side. Is the inaugural Barrel Strength Sour Mash worth the $120 retail price tag? Does the 2026 Chinquapin-finished Bomberger’s outshine the lineup? And how does the 116.4 proof Fort Nelson Reserve hand-fill hold up against the hype? 

Grab a pour and join us in the tasting room! Drop a comment below and let us know: Have you ever done the Bottle Your Own experience at Fort Nelson, and which 2026 Michter’s drop are you hunting this year?

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Michter’s US★1 Barrel Strength Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey

  • Classification: Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey
  • Distillery: Michter’s Distillery (Louisville, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed (proprietary blend where no single grain reaches 51%, straddling bourbon and rye profiles)
  • Age: NAS
  • Proof: 111.2 (55.6% ABV)
  • SRP: $120
  • Released: May 2026 (Inaugural barrel-strength release of the US★1 Sour Mash)
  • Other: Batch No. 26D0898; limited small batch; 103-proof barrel entry; signature Michter’s filtration.
  • Purchased: 08/15/2026 for $119 at Michter’s Fort Nelson (Louisville, KY)

Bomberger’s Declaration Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2026 Release)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Michter’s Distillery (Louisville, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed (high corn content balanced with a significant portion of malted rye)
  • Age: NAS
  • Proof: 108 (54.0% ABV)
  • SRP: $120
  • Released: June/July 2026 (Part of the annual Michter’s Legacy Series alongside Shenk’s Homestead)
  • Other: Bottle 826 of 2,503; Batch No. 26C0634; incorporates bourbon aged/finished in custom toasted and charred Chinquapin oak barrels air-dried and seasoned for three years.
  • Purchased: 08/15/2026 for $129 at Michter’s Fort Nelson (Louisville, KY) 

Michter’s Fort Nelson Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Barrel Strength – Bottle Your Own)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Michter’s Distillery (Louisville, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed (standard Michter’s bourbon mash bill)
  • Age: NAS (Non-Age Stated)
  • Proof: 116.4 (58.2% ABV)
  • SRP: $160 (Distillery Exclusive / BYO Experience)
  • Released: Bottled 08/15/2026
  • Other: Michter’s Fort Nelson “Bottle Your Own” hand-fill experience; Barrel No. FN26F2246; single barrel; barrel entry proof 103.
  • Purchased: 08/15/2026 for $160 at Michter’s Fort Nelson (Louisville, KY)

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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